The Social Equity Venture Fund (SEVEN), a nonprofit organization providing monetary, organizational, and intellectual support for poverty solutions, has recently announced their student essay competition topic for the 2008-2009 school year. It’s not particularly simple, but the cause is a good and the payoff well worth the effort. One $10,000 prize and one $20,000 prize will be awarded to essay winners.

Before applying, students will have to watch “The Entrepreneur President, Paul Kagame of Rwanda,” and write a 2,000 word essay in response to the video. The writer will be assuming the role of President Kagame’s advisor and will have to put his vision into practice.

1. Applicant must be a full-time undergraduate or graduate student 2. Applicant must attend an accredited college or university worldwide.

Deadline:

December 7, 2008

Required Material:

1. A 2,000 word scholarship essay 2. A 100 word introductory abstract 3. The full name, address, phone number and academic email of the applicant 4. The degree level, major, and school contact number 5. A brief biography

Further details about the application process and about contacting the scholarship provider can be found by conducting a free college scholarship search. Once the search is completed, students eligible for the award will find it in their scholarship list.

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Many talented high school athletes dream of playing at the college level, hopefully beyond it. When the select few receive a call about a team spot and a scholarship opportunity, most are ecstatic to find that their hard work and lengthy dedication has paid off.

Unfortunately, what initially appears to be a dream come true is not always the golden ticket families initially imagined. According to a recent article published in TheNew York Times, most athletic awards aren’t even close to covering the full costs of a college education. Excluding marketable sports such as basketball and football, athletic scholarships may total as little as $2,000.

Students who are invited to play at private colleges or universities which often cost as much or more than $30,000 per year will hardly be salvaged by such an award. Considering that such students have to juggle long practice hours with travel, classes and homework, they may be better off passing up low-paid team spots for additional study hours and outside scholarship opportunities.

Particularly troubling for families of college athletes is the fact that not all awards are renewable for four years. Eligibility for N.C.A.A. scholarships is reevaluated annually, and college athletes are not guaranteed continued assistance. When this is the case, students may find themselves with little or no time for a job while attending a college they can no longer afford.

Fortunately for students who are not about to turn down an athletic offer due to funding shortages, N.C.A.A. scholarships are not the only available athletic scholarships. To find college scholarships and grants based on athletic abilities or additional criteria, students can conduct a free college scholarship search. One does not have to be an athletic star or class valedictorian to find award opportunities. Numerous scholarships, grants, fellowships and internships are available to students willing to conduct the search and put forth the application effort.

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Scholarships are a great way to fund an education, but they aren’t the only way to do so. Students frequently need both money and experience before applying to schools. Whether you’re trying to sample work in your field of choice or attempting to acquire skills that will jumpstart your career, we can help. Check out the internships below for opportunities that can put money in your pocket and substance on your resume. For additional information about college scholarships, grants, fellowships and internships, try conducting a free college scholarship search.

Women's Studio Workshop's Internship The Women’s Studio Workshop’s Internship gives young female artists the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of professional artistry. Housing and a $300/month stipend will be awarded.

Smithsonian Internships Minority undergraduate students and beginning graduate students are encouraged to apply for one of three summer internships. Students will be paid a $500 stipend for their research assistance and museum work.

SCA Internships The Student Conservation Association (SCA) offers conservation internships and summer trail crew positions to over 3,000 individuals each year. Projects vary in length from three to 12 months and trips are expense paid.

NCAA Athletic Internship College graduates interested in pursuing a career in the administrative side of athletics can gain insight into the business by taking advantage of this internship. This is a paid, on-year position.

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Women may have equal rights under the law, but their movement is far from over. According to the American Association of University Women Education Foundation, one year after graduating, women who work full time earn 80 percent of what men do. Ten years later, that percentage rises to 69 (with work hours, occupation and parenthood taken into account). Even as women continue to outperform men in every academic college major, this gap persists.

But there’s no room for self pity. Being proactive is the best solution, and many scholarship providers are here to help women reach their full potential. With the help of numerous internships, fellowships, scholarships and grant opportunities, colleges, foundations and private donors are helping females afford the education and training they need to succeed.

If you’re a current or future female student, or if you know someone who is, check out the women's scholarships below. For additional scholarship and grant opportunities, try conducting a free college scholarship search.

Each year, the American Association of University Women offers fellowships to assist women pursuing a doctoral degree. Winners are chosen based on academic record, teaching experience and commitment to helping women in the community. A $30,000 postdoctoral research leave fellowship as well as a $20,000 dissertation fellowship are available.

Undergraduate females have the chance to win a paid, ten-week internship at one of three IBM locations. In addition to the pay, winners will receive a $2,500 grant and the opportunity to work with an IBM employee. The American Physical Society (APS) and IBM will award this internship to sophomore and junior college women interested in pursuing a graduate education in science or engineering.

Executive Women International Scholarship Program (EWISP) Eligible high school juniors will have the chance to win a $10,000 college scholarship by applying for the Executive Women International Scholarship. Application rules and deadlines will vary based on local Executive Women International program chapters.

Women in Business Scholarship Women who pursue an undergraduate business degree and demonstrate potential in their field may be able to win a $5,000 scholarship for college. Applicants will have to submit a scholarship essay of 500 words or less as well as two letters of recommendation.

The Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund will award five $10,000 scholarships and fifty $1,000 scholarships to women who return to school to pursue a two or four-year college degree. Women must have earned their high school diploma or GED at least ten years ago. Six judges including five-time Olympic champion Evelyn Ashford, Judge Milian of “The People’s Court” and More Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief Peggy Northrop will judge applications.

Microsoft is awarding scholarships to women interested in pursuing an education in the computer sciences and related fields. To be eligible, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and be enrolled in a full-time bachelor’s degree program at a college or university in the US, Canada or Mexico at the time of submission.

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In February, attorney and father James Brady filed a lawsuit against Wheaton College for having charged the family a Wheaton-sized tuition bill during his daughter’s stay abroad. He estimated about $4,500 could have been saved had his daughter been billed for the cost of her South African university tuition. If European students heard the story, they too may have been upset—at the outrageous cost of a South African education.

It comes as no surprise that, even as the dollar weakens against its European counterparts, a college education is still most expensive in the United States. US students who study at four-year public colleges pay an average tuition of $6,185 per year; ones who study at private colleges pay $23,710. According to an article published by the Associated Press, book costs, room & board, living expenses and myriad university fees raise these numbers to $13,589 and $32,307 respectively.

While students abroad undoubtedly have problems of their own, paying for college is unlikely to top the charts. It’s still not uncommon for countries to provide a tuition-free education for all, with a reasonable length-of-study limit and minor fees. When you study in Brazil, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Norway or Sweden, you can breeze through school with bills that vary from small to nonexistent. In a number of more expensive areas, it may cost you a few thousand dollars. Even then, the government is likely to offer some sort of compensation grant.

US students don't leave their tuition problems behind after graduation. In fact, the problems often get worse. About two-thirds of students borrow to complete a college education. Those who borrow leave school with an average debt of about $19,000. Students who go to private schools and ones who stay for another degree are increasingly taking out student loans that exceed $100,000.

While it’s not unheard of for international students to borrow for an education, lower costs mean lower burdens. Oftentimes, income-contingent repayment plans and federal grants offered in exchange for good school performance are an option for struggling students. Comparable opportunities are few and far between for US students. Instead, many overwhelmed students return home again financially dependent on their parents.

That is not to say that tuition hasn't been growing elsewhere, with the United Kingdom being a prime example. In 1998, some college students in the UK were asked to pay for their education, a change that had students taking to the streets in protest. For the 2007-2008 school year, the UK tuition cap was controversially increased to £3,070 ($6,155), a price that would still make private universities blush, one that would make James Brady rethink his lawsuit.

Rising tuition may not be uncommon, but we have perfected the trend. Unfortunately, legislation cannot be willed into action. Until federal Pell Grants increase significantly and tuition costs drop dramatically, students can look to college scholarships and grants for assistance. By completing a free college scholarship search, students can find information about numerous awards they may be eligible to receive.

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When you’re in school, book reports are worth little more than a headache. When you’re applying for college scholarships and grants, they're worth a lot of money---especially when you apply for The Foutainhead Essay Contest. Students who submit their essays can win up to $10,000! That’s a pretty good incentive to write, even if you’re not a fan of scholarship essay contests.

Before beginning, students will have to carefully read Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead. Once they’re finished, they can choose between three book-related questions and write about their subject of choice. Myriad scholarship prizes are up for grabs.

1. Applicants must be high school juniors or high school seniors. 2. Applicants may not be members or immediate family members of Ayn Rand Institute employees. 3. The essay must be the original work of the applicant. 4. Applicants may only submit one essay, and previous first-place winners may not reapply.

Deadline:

April 25, 2008 (must be postmarked by date)

Required Material:

1. A typed, double-spaced essay that is between 800 and 1,600 words in length. 2. A stapled cover sheet that includes the chosen topic number and the name, address, email, high school name/address and current grade level of the applicant.

Further details about the application process and about contacting the scholarship provider can be found by conducting a free college scholarship search. Once the search is completed, students eligible for the award will find it in their scholarship list.

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With all this talk about colleges hoarding snowballing endowments, it may come as a surprise that sometimes, college funds do dry up. Such is the case at numerous universities receiving business scholarship money from the Roy F. and Joann Cole Mitte Foundation.

According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, the foundation was worth $26 million in 2006. The loss was said to be caused by a stock market downturn, but there are suspicions that it may also have something to do with the founders’ son, Scott Mitte. A past article published by The Boston Globe stated that Mr. Mitte’s compensation had increased by $189,000 and his spending on travel and meetings grew by more than $180,000 in just one year. The article dated November 3, 2003 also mentions that a sexual harassment case against Mr. Mitt had cost the foundation $139,000 in legal fees.

Rather than leave their students without promised aid, most of the schools have decided to use their own funds to support them. Texas State University, the alma mater of the founders, will continue to receive scholarship money from the foundation, but other schools must dig into their own pockets to cover the expenses.

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During the post-Inconvenient Truth months, I couldn't help but steadfastly pursue an eco-friendly lifestyle. Sure, I sporadically recycled before, but, regardless of attacks on film's accuracy, it made things happen for me. Thanks to a great deal of nagging and a plethora of guilt-tripping orations, I even convinced my mom to recycle--on occasion.

If you haven’t been swayed as of yet, here’s another good reason to go green: it pays. To encourage students to learn about the environment, alternative energy and about keeping the land and ecosystem safe, numerous scholarship providers have created eco-friendly scholarships. Check out the awards listed below for options you may benefit from, and conduct a free college scholarship search for additional information about college scholarships and grants.

Each year, the Vegetarian Resource Group gives away two $5,000 awards to students who promote vegetarianism in their schools and communities. Judges will look for essays that best demonstrate the student’s compassion, courage and commitment to promoting a peaceful world through vegetarianism. To be eligible, students must be high school seniors.

Students residing in Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler, Beaver, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties may be eligible to win scholarships from the Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania (ASWP). High school student who plan to major in a subject that relates to the environment can win $1,000 by applying.

Two awards in the sum of $1,000 will be awarded to students interested in pursuing a career related to the environment. Applicants must be high school students with a minimum 3.0 GPA and must reside in select Illinois counties.

The Action for Nature International Young Eco-Hero Award was created for environmentally-aware students between the ages of 8 and 16. Young kids and teens who have taken action to protect the environment will be recognized for their efforts.

Ben Meadows Natural Resource Scholarship To be eligible for the Ben Meadows Natural Resource Scholarship, students must be juniors or seniors working towards a bachelor’s degree in majors that include agro forestry, urban forestry, environmental studies, natural resource management, natural resource recreation, wildlife management, wood science, fisheries management and related subjects. Two scholarships in the sum of $2,500 each will be awarded.

Think of the BR!CK Awards as the Oscars for volunteers. Nine winners who have committed exceptional acts of kindness will receive a scholarship of $5,000 as well as a $5,000 reward to be forwarded to their charity of choice. They will also get to participate in an award show where celebrities present their prizes.

This corporate scholarship was created for current high school juniors who have demonstrated accomplishments in community service and leadership, faced a significant challenge and maintained a minimum 2.75 GPA. Up to 10 scholarships of $30,000 each will be granted.

With the help of this scholarship, student volunteers between the ages of 6 and 18 can earn $5,000 toward their college education. Other prizes include $50 Kohl’s gift certificates and $1,000 scholarships.

The Voice for Animals Scholarship, an award provided by the Humane Education Network (HEN) gives students the chance to speak out against animal cruelty. Awards are offered to students who submit the best essays and to those who have worked to improve animal welfare.

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship

To be eligible for the Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship, high school seniors must first be nominated by their principal. Those who demonstrate leadership skills within the community and who work to engage youth in activities that boost self-esteem and encourage an ethic of service can win $1,000 scholarships.

Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program was created in memory of Jesse Brown, a member of the Marine Corp who dedicated his time to assisting disabled American veterans. Students who volunteer at local VA medical centers for a minimum of 100 hours will be able to receive a scholarship from this provider.

For additional information about volunteering scholarships as well as awards based on different criteria, try conducting a free college scholarship search at Scholarships.com.

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In honor of Dr. Seuss’s birthday, students across the nation celebrated the eleventh annual Read Across America day on March 3rd. Though most festivities were aimed at the elementary and middle school crowd, plenty of high school students joined in to encourage the young and old to read on a regular basis.

Their support was both appreciated and needed. In 2005, a report published by the National Education Association (NEA) revealed that reading frequency dropped significantly for people of all ages. Those who struggled the most, individuals between the ages of 18 and 24, experienced a reading drop of 28 percent. To stop this trend from continuing, students are being taught that reading can be fun--really.

A list compiled by the NEA offers a few interesting examples of things students and educators have tried in an effort to encourage reading. They include:

o High school cheerleaders and athletes from Hamler, Ohio who challenged students to become active readers by leading them in reading spirit cheers.

o A Dr. Seuss Party thrown by the Central Lafourche High School Performing Arts Club. The event included a Dr. Seuss show, an appearance by the cat and a cake.

o The school-wide Braxton County High reading celebration in which all students, faculty and staff had to drop everything to read during first period.

o A Washington County event in which all elementary, middle and high school students read every day for a week. In addition to a skit performed by students from a high school drama class, prizes were awarded to the 100th person who entered the library.

o The foreign language event in which students from Edmond Santa Fe High School translated and read “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” in three different languages—English, Spanish and Latin.

But the award for the most interesting (and least appetizing) example goes to the Washington Elementary district which served its students a breakfast of—yuck—green eggs and ham.